BMW and M Power Owners

Howard · 11 Dec 2015 at 14:38

Jez said:
You'd be surprised at just how "frugal" some of the large V8 engines can be in context when compared with smaller V6 engines.

Fuel consumption is certainly not linear, and generally the larger engined cars will have gearing which favours lower engine speeds. Its sometimes quite surprising how much fuel a V6 will use, a much more powerful and larger V8 often wont actually use much more.

Go on then, what sort of MPG can an E63 650i achieve on a motorway run at the speed limit?

Scania · 11 Dec 2015 at 14:41

Probably not relevant but made me think of a common thing in haulage - the 16litre Scania V8 will return better mpg than its 6pot 13litre cousin when both are run at the same weight.

Clearly the 16litre is for pulling huge weights, at 44t it's not breaking a sweat and as a consequence very frugal compared to the smaller engined model which you have to work harder to maintain speed on hills etc....

Unfortunately the much higher cost of the big V8 vastly outweighs any fuel savings.

I'd always taken it as more or less a given that a V8 would be less efficient than a V6 of the same capacity.

Django x2 · 11 Dec 2015 at 14:41

Imy said:
From the ST220 thread it seemed your fuel economy was the exception to the norm Howard judging by what everyone else was averaging. It depends where you drive as much as how you drive it I guess as a change of job increased my fuel economy by over 20%.

I didn't know CCC on the 650i could be upgraded to CIC. That's useful to know and something I'd be interested in doing depending on cost. After a quick google it does look somewhat more involved and expensive than a typical HU replacement job though.

Compared to my ST220 I already know the 650i would cost £215/more to tax each year and on the assumption I can average 23mpg from the 650i, it would cost me an extra £323 in fuel. It would cost more in tyres and servicing also so would it be safe to say I need at least an extra £1k a year to run it? On top of all that's been mentioned, how much should I be setting aside for repairs?

Yep, I did the CIC upgrade in my woeful E60 530d. Cost around £700 in total but I coded it all myself and didn't bother changing the idrive controller over. Honestly, without coding, took about an hour to swap over. The E6x is a bit more tricky though as the trims are different, but not taxing.

A note on fuel consumption, I've always understood the simplicity that a smaller engine will actually provide worse economy at speed than a larger engine. For example, I had a horrible Pug3008 2l diesel for a week. Driving it like I used to drive the 530d, it averaged 35.7mpg according to trip. The 530d on the same run would be 37-38mpg. On the motorway though, without the constant slowing down / speeding up, the 3008 was mid to late 40s until you got to 80-85mph. It then used to hit early 40s, same as the 530d.

Jez · 11 Dec 2015 at 14:46

Howard said:
Go on then, what sort of MPG can an E63 650i achieve on a motorway run at the speed limit?

Ive not got one, my much older tech SL500 (5.0 V8) could get mid 30's though, i would hope a (and understand that it is) 650i would be similar.

Point is, they are not linearly worse than the Ford V6 he already has. It wont be massively worse at all given the poor consumption of his existing engine.

Uncle_Gravy · 11 Dec 2015 at 14:48

What I find odd is, You want a big V8 car and you're worried about mpg

GTAMADDOG · 11 Dec 2015 at 20:14

Does anyone have any recommendations for (front) brake discs and pads and rear shock absorbers for an E46 Sport?

Took my car to a friend/mechanic about a month ago to have the propshaft bushing and differential seal sorted and he had a quick look over the rest of the car and explained the rear shocks are leaking and the front brakes could do with being replaced in the next few months. The brakes looked like they had more than a few months of life left in them when I did a front brake caliper, but just looking at options at the moment.

I don't mind spending some money to get a decent brand (actually prefer to), but also don't require anything track orientated either. ECP have the usual Pagid/Textar/Brembo suspects and eBay seems to be flooded with Mtec Drilled/Grooved discs with Mintex pads. I'm guessing standard Pagid for brakes and Sachs for shock absobers (+ Meyle HD top mounts) are the ones to go for?

rodenal · 11 Dec 2015 at 20:20

Sachs or Boge for the shocks then I'd go with an oem or equivalent disc with either BMW or something like black diamond predator pads..

Avoid lower end EBC stuff, it's rotten.

hurfdurf · 13 Dec 2015 at 03:38

Had a bit of a play with an M5 today, private plate on it so I have no idea how old it was but it looked like a 2006ish model, the one that Spie bought when it came out, could barely tell it was an M5 apart from the 4 exhausts, noise, and complete lack of traction he had at the lights.

How on earth are they so cheap that chavs have gotten them?!?!

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifi...60-e61-m5--------------------2007/5032996?v=b

500bhp for the price of a new 1.4 Golf, and BMW warrantied...

Gaygle · 13 Dec 2015 at 07:32

Lol 15mpg on the iDrive screen.

Would love to own one one day but realistically I know I never will. I would only ever want it for the engine - I don't care much for the rest of the car.

Jonny ///M · 14 Dec 2015 at 13:40

Just insured this 525i to pick it up later one..ended up keeping it to TPFT due to the value and it's still £985 lump sum so put it in a CC.

Chris knott flat out refused as I've never had a RWD car, adrian flux were £1200 before adding on the monthly premium. Zenith were cheapest monthly but I've never heard of them so stuck with admiral who I've been with before.

Will see how much of a sinking ship it turns out to be

Gaygle · 14 Dec 2015 at 13:54

Jonny ///M said:
Just insured this 525i to pick it up later one..ended up keeping it to TPFT due to the value and it's still £985 lump sum so put it in a CC.

Chris knott flat out refused as I've never had a RWD car, adrian flux were £1200 before adding on the monthly premium. Zenith were cheapest monthly but I've never heard of them so stuck with admiral who I've been with before.

Will see how much of a sinking ship it turns out to be

I don't understand? Didn't you own an M car (hence the name!)? And £985 TPFT for an old 525i?! Did you have a look at comprehensive as 99% of the time it's actually cheaper?

I happen to be the same age and am a country bumpkin like you, but this year I managed to get insured on my M3 for £420 fully comp, with modifications declared

crinkleshoes · 14 Dec 2015 at 13:58

Like Gaygle says... Fully Comp is usually cheaper.

And as a side note: Zenith are quite well known and far better to deal with than Admiral, Admiral being one of the worst insurers around.

rodenal · 14 Dec 2015 at 14:07

Gaygle said:
I don't understand? Didn't you own an M car (hence the name!)? And £985 TPFT for an old 525i?! Did you have a look at comprehensive as 99% of the time it's actually cheaper?

I happen to be the same age and am a country bumpkin like you, but this year I managed to get insured on my M3 for £420 fully comp, with modifications declared

Country bumpkin lol? He lives in Hamilton, a few miles from Glasgow which is probably part of the reason for the quote price. I've had insurers like greenlight or Chris Knott refuse for stupid and not too dissimilar reasons in the past.

Jonny ///M · 14 Dec 2015 at 14:16

Rough as **** post code and 6 points + a minor accident don't help myself.

Fully comp was over £100 more but I don't see the benefit personally.

I paid £900 all in for the astra last year, my brother at the same post code, 29 years old, no NCB and no points etc was around £700 on what is a relatively simple car.

I've never had an M car, just couldn't register with anything else that works for me so went with something I like!

PMKeates · 14 Dec 2015 at 14:46

hurfdurf said:
Had a bit of a play with an M5 today, private plate on it so I have no idea how old it was but it looked like a 2006ish model, the one that Spie bought when it came out, could barely tell it was an M5 apart from the 4 exhausts, noise, and complete lack of traction he had at the lights.

How on earth are they so cheap that chavs have gotten them?!?!

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifi...60-e61-m5--------------------2007/5032996?v=b

500bhp for the price of a new 1.4 Golf, and BMW warrantied...

15 MPG and the feeling that anything could go bang at any moment puts off most people.

hurfdurf · 14 Dec 2015 at 14:55

PMKeates said:
15 MPG and the feeling that anything could go bang at any moment puts off most people.

I would have thought most peasants would struggle to see that far ahead?

mjt · 14 Dec 2015 at 21:22

Dad's 5 GT failed its MOT on..... a missing wheel nut :eek:

Went straight to BMW and they stuck one on "from the compliments of the management".
It was there for a service in October I think. Can't believe no one noticed, but they're black and they're quite deeply recessed into the 20" rims

Jonny ///M · 15 Dec 2015 at 01:06

Jonny ///M said:
Rough as **** post code and 6 points + a minor accident don't help myself.

Fully comp was over £100 more but I don't see the benefit personally.

I paid £900 all in for the astra last year, my brother at the same post code, 29 years old, no NCB and no points etc was around £700 on what is a relatively simple car.

I've never had an M car, just couldn't register with anything else that works for me so went with something I like!

Gave it a good Hoover inside as it seemed he lived in it and gave the outside a scoosh. Will need a hand wash and god knows what to fix the wheels.

Exhaust blowing should be an easy fix.

Passenger seat not sliding I'm not sure on.

Oil leak by the state of the front left of the bay.

DSC seems to be off indefinitely so need to work that out.

PDC does a long beep and flashes but doesn't work.

Squeak from rear suspension I'm not sure on. No odd knocks or bangs.

Angel eyes are dimmer on one side than the other!

Rust on boot lid and a few small patches elsewhere.

and where I think the oil leak is from.

kirkster · 15 Dec 2015 at 18:23

Anyone know where one can find out the price of BMW extended warranty for given vehicle series type? The best I can do is put the reg of an older vehicle not currently covered and take that as an indication. That is not much help when making a purchasing decision on a car still under manufacturer's warranty. Sure can just ring them but wondered if there was a tool or website somewhere? If there is I sure can't find it!

Also noticed a BIG monthly ££ difference between £100 and £250 excess.

rodenal · 15 Dec 2015 at 18:33

The warranty cost of the same car under or over the mileage barriers will be the same regardless of age iirc.

Johnny that lokms like the rocker cover gasket is done, letting oil drip down. Give it a good clean in there then keeo an eye to make sure, it's a some job but will take a.little time. All the spark plug well gaskets will be ruined too and you'll also need a little liquid gasket for the shaped ends of the rocker.

If you have any desire to change vanos seals do it at the same time, you may as well inspect the disa butterfly while.you're doing that too as it's another thing that tends to break, £60 for the gaskets about the same to refurbished disa